Simple supply list to stock an art corner for kids

You really only need a few things to start an inspirational art corner. Having too many choices is cause for overwhelm, so I suggest deciding on one medium for your homeschool. You do not need to stock watercolor supplies, acrylic supplies, clay and sculpture supplies, crafty supplies, etc….unless you just want to. I suggest starting with just one medium and allowing kids to really invest some time learning that one medium.

I suggest starting with watercolor painting. See my post here about why watercolor is a great medium to start with.

Here’s a simple supply list to stock your homeschool art corner and inspire your young artists:

• Art Paper- seems simple, but your little artists will appreciate paper that is designed for art and not just computer paper. Construction paper and fun patterned paper (that I buy on clearance) is what we have stocked.

• Scissors- age appropriate, of course

• Glue- I always prefer stick glue

• Pencils, erasers, and a good sharpener

• Colored pencils- more accurate than crayons, less messy than markers

• Cardboard boxes- When you get a package, throw the boxes in a corner and let your kids go to town. While we are here, toilet paper and paper towel rolls too. Keep a small plastic bin for these and fill as you have them available.

For a little more elevated creative experience, I provide Watercolor paints and supplies for my kids:

• Watercolor paper -please, please, I beg you, buy decent watercolor paper for your kids. Painting is WAY more fun if you have good paper. Computer paper will not work. The water will tear holes right through the paper. Also, don’t buy any paper that has a cartoon on the front. It’s not real watercolor paper. A few things to look for on the cover: 140lb, acid free, and less than $1/sheet. I encourage my kids to paint on the back when one side is dry. You’ll also see “cold press” or “hot press.” Either one is fine to use, but I prefer cold press. Here’s what I buy for my kids.

• Paint- Don’t be overwhelmed with the different types of paint. A basic palette that is pre-filled with paint is the perfect way to start kids. One of my favorite palette for kids is this Winsor & Newton box from Amazon. Right now it’s around $14

• Brushes- purchase a few different shapes and sizes. Here’s a great set that has a variety of shapes and sizes. If you want to purchase individual brushes, start with these:

  • Round 6 or 8

  • Round 2 or 3

  • Flat 1/2- 1 inch

• Watercolor pencils- These are super fun and completely optional. They look just like colored pencils when you use them, but they turn to paint when you add water. I use these a lot in my own work to avoid graphite lines. These are the ones we use.